Need a Romance Fix?

Do you enjoy sweet, short romances? Like a thousand words or less, sort of a condensed romance fix?

Sometimes I enjoy short romances. Sometimes not. It depends on if the story leaves me with a satisfied feeling or if I feel like I'm being shortchanged or cheated.

Does the story contain all the components to make it a great romance? Pacing, dialog, emotion, and romance? Or is it loaded down with backstory?


Let's face it. A thousand words doesn't give a writer much room to create. Every word has to count, must give meaning to the story, to make the reader want to keep reading.

Family Fiction is running a Create Romance contest for romances 1,000 words or less. If you enjoy a quick "romance fix," click on over and check out my sweet romance entry, A Forever Love. 

If A Forever Love leaves you with an "ahhh" or that wonderfully delicious warm feeling around your heart, please vote UP. And if you REALLY like it, feel free to Tweet or share it on Facebook with the link at the bottom of the story. That would be awesome. The cool part of this contest is that you can vote UP or DOWN for all stories.


Here's the link to A Forever Love ~ http://www.familyfiction.com/short-stories/create-romance-2012/a-forever-love/  Thank you for your vote!

Do you enjoy short romances?

Or do they leave you feeling shortchanged?

Thanks givings

"give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." ~1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

This was the theme at our community group get-together on Sunday. Now I generally consider myself a joyful, thankful person. A glass full kinda gal. Maybe that's where I made my mistake. As we were talking about different situations that people were going through, and how hard it was to be thankful, maybe I was, um, shall we say, too self-righteous. Patting myself on the back.

I can tell you that was the wrong response. God has smacked me in the face this week. My attitude is a little different this morning, thanks to a little one-on-one time with Him.

Allow me to share my thanks givings for this week:

~the cute way my two-year-old grandson says "I love you."

~watching my hubby eat a bucket of seafood. I adore the concentration on his face as he breaks apart crab legs. He was so proud of himself for not getting anything on his shirt. Why didn't I take a picture?? :-)

~even though the screen on my cellphone shattered this morning, it still works AND the contract expires this month, so I can get a new one.

~an updated prescription for contact lenses. I can see again!

~a busy season with my writing.

• I entered a short romance (1000 words) in the Create Romance Contest for Family Fiction, and it PASSED to the second round! Yay!! Check it out, would you? Vote UP if you like it. You can vote UP or DOWN for as many stories as you want to, but only once for each entry. http://www.familyfiction.com/short-stories/create-romance-2012/a-forever-love/
• My publisher, White Rose, contracted with Goddess Fish to promote my Marshals of Journey Creek series. Goddess Fish set up blog stops at six different sites, so I've been frantically writing blog posts for each hostess. What a blessing!
• A hugely successful fundraiser for CVAN last Saturday. Shoppers purchased enough items to fill up the back of an SUV and many donated funds to supplement CVAN's needs! And I got to meet Lynette Eason and Amy Clipston!! Check out this great group of ladies!! What an honor to be part of the Carolina Christian Writers!

• I have lost count of how many library presentations I have done this summer. I'm so thankful for the libraries, the friendly staff, and new readers. I surely couldn't do this without the support and encouragement of my hubby, who never complains about spending his evenings in the libraries. Quite a feat for a non-reader!

~my younger son is moving into an apartment this weekend. He'll be a senior and this will be his first move off campus. I'm excited for him, but a little sad at the same time. He hasn't lived with us in so long, we're already "empty nesters," but this time he'll be taking his furniture and we're donating some of ours. This move seems so permanent...

Love you, Scott!

"give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV

Yep. Next time I won't be so cocky. 

What about you? Care to share your thanks givings?